A screen on the trading floor of the New York Stock Exchange, on Friday, Feb. 1, 2013, shows the Dow Jones industrial average above 14,000 for the first time since October 2007. Evidence that the U.S. economic recovery is firmly on track drove markets higher on Friday, adding to the cheer from good economic indicators out of Europe. (AP Photo/Richard Drew)

NEW YORK (AP)‚ The Dow stock market index closed above 14,000 for the first time since before the financial crisis rocked the world economy.

Propelled by strong auto sales and optimism about U.S. jobs, the Dow Jones industrial average crossed the line early Friday and continued flirting with the mark all day. The other major stock indexes also rose.